Thai convicted of spying released from Cambodian jail

PHNOM PENH, Dec 14 (TNA) – The Thai employee convicted of spying in Cambodia was released by royal pardon of King Norodom Sihamoni of Cambodia Monday morning.

Siwarak Chutipong, a Thai national jailed in Preysar Prison since November 12, was freed with a royal pardon granted by the Cambodian King at Prime Minister Hun Sen’s residence.

Currently Mr Siwarak is staying at premier Hun Sen’s home with his mother Simarak Na Nakhon Panom and four Puea Thai’s MPs as well as the manager of Thai-owned Cambodia Air Traffic Services (CATS). Before his release, Mrs Simarak visited her son at Preysar Prison Sunday evening.

Mr Siwarak, an employee of Thai-owned Cambodia Air Traffic Services (CATS), was arrested by Cambodian police on November 12 on charges of espionage for passing information on Thaksin Shinawatra’s flight details for his first visit as economic adviser to the Hun Sen government.

The Thai employee was later sentenced to seven years jail and fined Bt100,000 (US$3,000) for releasing Mr Thaksin’s flight details.

Mr Siwarak is scheduled to return home later on Monday. (TNA)